How did the Rams suddenly become underdogs?

[den-the-coach]

We lost to the Bears and Eagles and all of a sudden we suck again.

Yes, this is the case, but it might have forced McVay to reexamine his play calling and utilize more 12 personnel and adding a hammer like Anderson should pay dividends. Rams have the worst defense of the teams left in the NFC, so I get it, but take down Chicago and win at New Orleans and who will be the favorites again?

 

[Farr Be It]

After watching a dozen programs with prognosticators predicting the playoff scenarios, I’ve yet to see anyone believe the Rams are a serious threat. Suddenly, the Bears are a better team, nobody can beat the Saints in the Superdome, and the Eagles and Seahawks are playoff veterans and somehow superior.

In the AFC, the Colts and Ravens are now considered the most complete teams in the conference.

While I agree this is the most unpredictable playoffs I’ve seen in many years because of relative parity, the Ram’s recent skid vs the Bears and Eagles have defined the team in the media while the other team’s losses and flaws are glossed over as though they never happened.

If anyone believes McVay won’t have adjustments ready for the Saints, Bears, and Eagles, they aren’t paying attention. Their collective strategies are now known and in each game, it took three quarters for the Rams to overcome them. I contend that those losses and familiarity is actually the best possible scenario for the Rams and THE FACTOR hidden from the media. Beating most teams twice in a year is difficult, but beating a team this good twice is a taller order.

Frankly, I hope this next week the messages sent by the media stoke a fire and stack chips on shoulders. Football is an emotional game and often won by the team that just wants it more. They have the talent. They have the intelligence. Add a little “ticked off” and I pity the competition. Let it smolder men...

I welcome the fact that we may get to avenge 2 of our losses. (Most likely Bears, Aints. Outside shot at Eagles.) Then, maybe we can avenge our stolen Super Bowl from 2001 against the Cheats as a cherry on top of a great season.

If GOff plays like he did weeks 3-11, then we WILL BEAT the Saints. At this point, I don't see that happening.

Curious why you don’t see it happening. I believe in this team. I do see it happening.

 

[Ram65]

Rams have cooled off. Saints, Bears and Eagles took the air out of the media ballon for the Rams. Can't blame them. As others have stated I think it plays well for the Rams to be a bit of an underdog. What looked nearly unstoppable offense has been stopped. A rested Gurley and a better understanding of the zone defense that is being played against the Rams should make them a team nobody wants to play.

 

[kurtfaulk]

but take down Chicago and win at New Orleans and who will be the favorites again?

the afc team.

.

 

[IE Rams]

Ram65 has a good point. I always get a little nervous with long win streaks. Sometimes you need to take a few in the mouth to remember your shit can stink—then come back with a fury knowing you could avenge at least one, if not two of those losses to make it to the SB.

Time to knuckle up, boys.

 

[KNUCKLEHEAD]

Flavor of the week.

 

[brasilcalif]

the thing is ...we LOST to Saints...EAGLES and BEARS .....and all of them are on the playoffs . So ...it makes sense to think they are better than us ...they BEAT us . And the eagles beat US at OUR HOUSE . So ,no wonder why they think we are not gonna do much noise in the playoffs , we already lost to the teams we will be facing

 

[brasilcalif]

The only thing that really bothers about the Bears and Eagles games is/are: the Oline.
Ya, Goff was off,and other stuff happened, but if the line can't play at a B+ level, then we will not beat teh Bears or Eagles in the playoffs....I suspect they can, and so we can beat both teams I believe.

If GOff plays like he did weeks 3-11, then we WILL BEAT the Saints. At this point, I don't see that happening.

despite 4 tds and 0 picks against the niners goff still missed wide open receivers too often and finished with 56 % completion rate . Not good for playoffs imo . Gotta be around 68 %-70 % completion . He had a clean pocket all day against the niners and put 56 % . The pocket is not gonna be THAT clean against the bears or eagles or any playoff team .... I am really concerned .

 

[bluecoconuts]

Sleep on them.

 

[kurtfaulk]

the thing is ...we LOST to Saints...EAGLES and BEARS .....and all of them are on the playoffs . So ...it makes sense to think they are better than us ...they BEAT us . And the eagles beat US at OUR HOUSE . So ,no wonder why they think we are not gonna do much noise in the playoffs , we already lost to the teams we will be facing

stop living in the past man.

despite 4 tds and 0 picks against the niners goff still missed wide open receivers too often and finished with 56 % completion rate . Not good for playoffs imo . Gotta be around 68 %-70 % completion . He had a clean pocket all day against the niners and put 56 % . The pocket is not gonna be THAT clean against the bears or eagles or any playoff team .... I am really concerned .

yes it was very concerning the score was 48-17 when goff left the field. it should have been 100-0.

.

 

[brasilcalif]

stop living in the past man.



yes it was very concerning the score was 48-17 when goff left the field. it should have been 100-0.

.

He did alright. It was the niners. Still, 56% completion rate is no good specially when the pocket is clean all day long. Like I said, the pocket is not gonna be that clean against the bears. If it is, he might do ok and we might win. If.....

 

[jap]

They built the Rams up as the "high scoring Rams" and then in the three losses, we became "finesse." The talking heads will learn.

Note to LoyalRam: Talking heads NEVER learn. That's why they are mostly talking heads and not coaching heads.

 

[SteveBrown]

Curious why you don’t see it happening. I believe in this team. I do see it happening.

Goff has not even come close to playing like 2017 (nevertheless 2018) in Games #12-16. He is an avg QB, at best, right now---even Bake Mayfield and other younguns are outplaying overall. I am 'THE GOFF to the HOF' fan....I announced that before 2018; I said he is on a Brees career path level, minimum....and I don't see that changing.

But, right now from Detroit to SF it has been hit and miss. Can't win in the playoffs with that, when you have a weak, soft defense. Goff from weeks 3-11 can take us to, and win the super bowl. I am not looking at stats, I am looking at choices and throws...and they ain't even at the 2017 level. I HOPE THAT CHANGES

 

[SteveBrown]

despite 4 tds and 0 picks against the niners goff still missed wide open receivers too often and finished with 56 % completion rate . Not good for playoffs imo . Gotta be around 68 %-70 % completion . He had a clean pocket all day against the niners and put 56 % . The pocket is not gonna be THAT clean against the bears or eagles or any playoff team .... I am really concerned .

Yes, I believe you are right. THings could change....I think it is mental.....and that affects the physical.

 

[brasilcalif]

Goff has not even come close to playing like 2017 (nevertheless 2018) in Games #12-16. He is an avg QB, at best, right now---even Bake Mayfield and other younguns are outplaying overall. I am 'THE GOFF to the HOF' fan....I announced that before 2018; I said he is on a Brees career path level, minimum....and I don't see that changing.

But, right now from Detroit to SF it has been hit and miss. Can't win in the playoffs with that, when you have a weak, soft defense. Goff from weeks 3-11 can take us to, and win the super bowl. I am not looking at stats, I am looking at choices and throws...and they ain't even at the 2017 level. I HOPE THAT CHANGES

Exactly. Not sure why many guys here fail to realize that. It is so obvious. goff from weeks 3-11 can win playoff games. Goff from weeks 12-17 CANNOT. Simple as that.

 

[Mackeyser]

We lost to the Bears and Eagles and all of a sudden we suck again.

 

[Farr Be It]

Goff has not even come close to playing like 2017 (nevertheless 2018) in Games #12-16. He is an avg QB, at best, right now---even Bake Mayfield and other younguns are outplaying overall. I am 'THE GOFF to the HOF' fan....I announced that before 2018; I said he is on a Brees career path level, minimum....and I don't see that changing.

But, right now from Detroit to SF it has been hit and miss. Can't win in the playoffs with that, when you have a weak, soft defense. Goff from weeks 3-11 can take us to, and win the super bowl. I am not looking at stats, I am looking at choices and throws...and they ain't even at the 2017 level. I HOPE THAT CHANGES

You make a case for yourself, Steve. We will see. I think Goff just went through a bad stretch.

 

[rams1fan]

I think it goes to the fact Goff has not played especially well the last five weeks. People will remember last years playoff. Personally I wish he has played better. You want to being on an ascending arc going into the playoffs.

P.S. I am a big Goff advocate.

 

[SteveBrown]

Exactly. Not sure why many guys here fail to realize that. It is so obvious. goff from weeks 3-11 can win playoff games. Goff from weeks 12-17 CANNOT. Simple as that.

Hey, I am not alone,nor stupid : )